RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

BISOU BAKEHOUSE
”Artfully Made Confections”

Bisou Bakehouse at 1190 Bidwell is the latest addition to the West End’s growing selection of fine bakeries. We do love our fresh pastries!

The name Bisou (bee-zoo) comes from the French word for kiss, chosen by the bakehouse to represent the delightful sensory experience that their confections create. “We believe that everyone should get to experience the joy of eating happily and in the moment” explains manager Arman Negimi, “and our treats strive to do just that!”

Bisou Bakehouse manager Arman Negimi at the Bidwell location.

Bisou began in 2006 in West Vancouver in a 400-square-foot shop when five friends, including Arman, launched their dream business, later moving to their current North Vancouver location. According to Arman: “We wanted to use our pastries as a canvas to tell stories and inspire with impeccable tastes, nostalgic aromas, and artfully made confections and we were able to win over the hearts of our community.”

Within three years, as the quality of Bisou’s baked goods gained wider recognition, they began to supply local grocery stores, including Wholefoods, Save on Foods, T&T, Choices, and other independent grocery stores across Canada.

By 2014, Bisou had expanded further and was supplying some of Vancouver’s finest hotels with freshly baked confections. They now work with all of the Fairmont hotels in Vancouver, the Hotel Georgia hotel, among others.

Taking to the skies, you can now also enjoy Bisou’s pastries and breads while flying Turkish Airlines, Indian Airlines, and Emirates.

“Today, we’re proud to say that irrespective of the challenges that the pandemic presented to us and so many businesses around the globe, we have only continued to grow,” Arman said. “In 2021, we hired over 20 new team members and purchased over $200,00 worth of equipment to reflect our commitment to excellence.”

If you work downtown you’ll be pleased to know that Bisou has plans for a new location in the Telus Tower, opening later this year.

Today, West Enders don’t have to browse the shelves of a major grocery store, take an international flight (or a trip to the North Shore), or wait for the Telus Tower outlet to open to enjoy Bisou’s range of breads, pastries, and sweet and savoury specialties. As of last September, they are right around the corner off bustling Davie Street, ready to make your day.